Bishop Malone plans to mark anniversary of court decision at church in Kenmore

The Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the celebrant and homilist at the observance Mass for the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade.

The Mass will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. John the Baptist Church, 1085 Englewood Ave., Kenmore. The Mass, which will be signed for the hearing impaired, is one of the events marking this significant milestone.

During the Mass, the 18th Annual Pro-Vita Awards will be presented to people who have labored tirelessly for the pro-life cause, to give them strength, encouragement and support. This year’s recipients are Rachel Ziarnowski, Christian Andzel, Gene and Arlene Mendrysa, Father Leon Biernat and Miriam Barth (posthumously).

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade also will be marked by a large group of Catholics joining the Office of Pro-Life Activities on a pilgrimage for life to Washington, D.C.

Five buses will leave the Buffalo area on Thursday, Jan. 24, and head to the nation’s capitol. The group will pray peacefully and publicly intercede on behalf of the unborn, their parents, families, communities, nation and its leaders.

Catholics throughout the diocese also are encouraged to participate in a solemn observance of the Roe v. Wade anniversary by placing a candle in their window at sundown on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 22.